Supplied
Students gather for a pōwhiri, marking the start of the Nga Puna Wai Programme at Te Rau Aroha Marae.
Māori and Pasifika trades students are at the heart of the new education centre build with the Southern Institute of Technology.
Through a trades training scholarship, Ngā Puna Wai Programme, students from the Business Division of Te Pūkenga will help build the new Awarau Rūnaka Waituna Lagoon Education Centre this year.
The programme was developed with Awaru Rūnaka to help build a pathway for Māori and Pasifika students to learn contemporary trades and construction skills, while connecting with Māori cultural values, architecture and art.
The Ngā Puna Wai Programme is designed to engage the students, with kaiwhakairo Te Mauri Tini training the students in traditional Māori carving practices throughout the course
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They will also learn about Murihiku history, tikaka and mātauraka Māori, and traditional architecture and toi Māori, which will be taught by representatives from the rūnaka.
As well as gaining an understanding of the Waituna Lagoon project, the aspirations around traditional land use and education, students will also meet all the expected industry criteria of a level three, pre-trade construction course by the end of the programme.
HNZPT/ellen anderson
Students of the programme will be introduced to whakairo by Te Mauri Tini.
The head of Southern Institute of Technology’s Trades and Technology faculty Russell Finlay said they would learn a broad range of knowledge, practical trade and work-ready skills while building the education centre.
The 10-month programme will help to give them a head start for successful entry into a building apprenticeship, he said.
“This is a great Murihiku community project that will provide long-term value for all involved now and into the future.”
The students will build a transportable whare that will be used as an education centre at the Awarua Rūnaka Waituna Lagoon property for local schools to visit for environmental and cultural learning.
Southland Fish & Game/Supplied
The transferable whare will be place at Waituna Lagoon for schools to visit for environmental and cultural education.
The Institute’s executive director, Daryl Haggerty said the students may gain a real sense of satisfaction working on the project.
“Their work will be directly beneficial to the community and will be used by future generations for years to come.”
The programme will be completed in December this year and the whare will be transported to Waituna Lagoon by April 2024.
